If You Can't Beat the Heat, Join the Heat

It was the middle of yet another scorching afternoon on Wednesday at the West Islip Town Beach and Marina.  With the exception of one umbrella that was planted into the sand, the tiny beach was deserted; all that was missing was rolling tumbleweed. 

At the end of the narrow strip of shoreline, two women were leaning over the seaweed-sticken water.  They were reaching for rocks, then placing them inside a ziploc bag, laughing as they went along.   And on a day when it seemed nearly everyone had locked themselves inside their air-conditioned homes, the two women were spending a rare day off outside.

"It's great, we have the whole place to ourselves," said Kim Farewell, 30, of West Islip.  "And it's so beautiful out here."

Farewell and her friend Erin Picard, 31, of Patchogue-Medford, said they enjoyed the breeziness and peacefulness of the beach.

"The air is so stagnant at home," Farewell said.  "It's got to be 10 degrees cooler over here anyway."

The light breeze Farewell was referring to did offer some relief, as Wednesday's high of 95 degrees was lower than Tuesday's record highs.  According to the Weather Channel, Tuesday's temperature fell one degree short of breaking the July record of 103 degrees, set back in 1999.  But the 102 degrees did top the previous July 6th record of 97 degrees, also set in 1999.

The lifeguard on duty, Hannah Scherck, 20, couldn't help but joke about the ghostly surroundings.

"Look at all this action," she said, smiling.  "I do wish it was a little cooler.  There's been no one around." 

Scherck, who has been a Town of Islip lifeguard for three years, said most of the people are probably down at the more popular beaches, like Robert Moses.  She said she doesn't mind the heat, but is still doing her part to keep herself cool.    

"I'm trying to find some shade," she said, when she's not at her post.  "And of course, I stay hydrated."

Fred, a 27-year West Islip resident, was hosing off his boat after a morning of crabbing and clamming.  He said the 19-footer was a retirment gift and that he goes on it as often as possible, regardless of the temperature.

"The season is too short," he said.

His wife, Barbara, was standing about 200 yards away, working as the West Islip Town Beach and Marina gate attendant.  Her glowing tan was evidence of a days spent outside.   She said the fiery temperatures didn't bother her either.

"How can you beat this?" she said, as she looked up toward the sun.  "Whose got it better than me?"